Centre moves SC for early hearing on mining matters

14 Mar 201905:55am IST

14 Mar 201905:55am IST

Team Herald

PANJIM: The Central government has moved to Supreme Court seeking an early hearing of a batch of matters pertaining to a challenge to the Goa, Daman and Diu (Abolition and Declaration of Mining Lease) Act, 1987.

The Centre through the Ministry of Mines, filed an interlocutory application (IA) seeking early hearing in the matter which was filed in 1998 and pending since then.

In its submission, the ministry referred to a civil petition of 1998 between the appellants, VS Dempo and Co Ltd and others, and the Union of India and others, who are the respondents.

The ministry stated that the issue inter-alia pertains to the interpretation and implication of the title rights of the mining concessions granted to the appellants under the Regulamento Das Minas No Ultramar (Portuguese Colonial Mining Law) which was converted into mining leases under the Mines, and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) vide the Goa, Daman and Diu (Abolition And Declaration Of Mining leases) Act, 1987 (Abolition Act).

While submitting that the Supreme Court is considering the constitutional validity of the provisions of the Abolition Act, the ministry submitted that the Supreme Court vide its order (2-03-1998) had granted leave in the matter and passed certain interim directions.